After the recent beta Yahoo re-design, MSN also felt the need of a new design, and has put up a beta page to try out the version 11 of MSN design.

This new design looks only a bit less-cluttered and improved. They have integrated Windows Live Homtail, Messenger and Spaces in a Vista-like sidebar. And also contains some video highlights from MSN Video.

Microsoft really doesn’t want to stay behind, and let Google win everything. Today they announced the launch of a new social video service called Messenger TV. It is integrated Microsoft’s leading instant messaging application, Windows Live Messenger. Messenger TV is now up and running in about 20 countries.

Windows Live Messenger users in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico and more can now enjoy the collection of videos pooled from MSN Video’s collection, including shows, music videos, and the best of the web’s viral content from countless providers. For some reason, US has been excluded from the initial release.

Microsoft has tried a lot to gain MSN Video some popularity by heavily integrating popular videos from MSN Video in the form of constant ads in Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Today, but is still struggling to gain ground there. They are hopeful that further integration in their popular IM application will help to bolster its online video presence.

John Mangelaars, the vice-president, EMEA, of consumer and online for Microsoft, told Reuters:

“Online video has exploded in popularity over the last year, but to date it has been something people watch on their own. Messenger TV is set to change all that,”

He also added:

“Watching video online can now be a social experience, as people watch videos together, make comments and share reactions.”

So, with this, we can sum up that Microsoft is trying to change the video sharing experience. And is doing everything it can to make MSN Video stand with YouTube.

Here are the first two pictures that I’ve been able to find and as my browser’s country is set to United States, I can’t try it out myself.

And oh yeah, if you don’t have any friends online and still want to try this out, then addÃ‚Â MessengerTV@live.com as a friend and start chatting. It will invite you to start Messenger TV itself.

If you’ve already tried it, do tell us about it. I would love to know if there is anything special in Messenger TV.